by our College Data Analytics Team
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for finance students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Wilmington University, our #1 best value for finance in Delaware. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Finance graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $49,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Delaware State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,333 in student loans. Finance graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $41,572 early in their careers. Set against $26,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #3 place for finance. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,073 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $66,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Goldey Beacom College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Wilmington, Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,940. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,743 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $82,409. That is a strong return on a $20,743 median debt. Goldey Beacom College admits about 84% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.